Personal Finance Daily

Personal Finance Daily -- Nov. 13

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TODAY'S PERSONAL FINANCE STORIES

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It sounds a little like The Force from "Star Wars," this idea that there is a life energy flowing through all things, animate or not. No matter, the feng shui practitioners say, their art/science operates just the same whether you believe in it or not. One group that doesn't need a whole lot of convincing about feng shui's power is real estate agents, many of whom are now turning to feng shui experts to maximize the sales potential of their listings. Houses and yards, it seems, can benefit quite a bit from having their energies lined up in a more productive way -- just adding the right color welcome mat might make the difference between flocks of buyers at an open house or a bypassed property. Our Resident Authority column today explains a little about feng shui and how it is becoming more of a "force" in home sales. Read it, along with a Shades of Green on the 10 most underpaid jobs in America and Robert Powell's column questioning Baby Boomers' hopes for a comfortable retirement, on today's Personal Finance pages.

I feng shui-ed my own house and found my career sector was in the coat closet and my fame and fortune in the refrigerator. And I'm not sure either of those can be fixed with silk flowers.

Steve Kerch, personal finance editor

Home sellers get in the feng shui of things

For centuries, home sellers hoping for a quick sale have buried a statue of St. Joseph, upside down, in their yards. As the patron saint of household needs, those with faith in Joseph could expect to be rewarded as buyers flocked in. But today, West is meeting East when it comes to the spirituality of real-estate transactions. So unless you've got Joseph in the proper quadrant of your ba-gua, your favorite saint may be working against your feng shui. See Resident Authority

Ten most underpaid jobs

Many Americans complain they're not paid enough, but most of us are nowhere near as shortchanged as the country's severely underpaid workers. See Shades of Green

401(k) may by Boomers' retirement Waterloo

Is it just me or does anyone else feel a bit worried about the future financial security of Americans, Boomers in particular? Yes, call me crazy, call me Chicken Little, call me a pessimist. But I don't think we're going to make it. I don't think most Baby Boomers, especially the four in five workers who don't have a traditional pension plan and who will rely in great part on their 401(k), will ever really enjoy retirement -- forget about adding "comfortable" as the adjective. See Robert Powell

Age-based benefits at stake

The Supreme Court is considering arguments in an age-discrimination case that could signal the end of early-retirement packages and other age-based benefits. The workers who originally brought the case say they faced discrimination when their employer, General Dynamics, began barring retirement health-care benefits for workers under 50, even if they had accrued the mandatory minimum years of service. See full story

Hot high-tech gifts

If you're looking for holiday gifts with big "wow" appeal, several hot tech toys could fit your bill. From an iris-scanning authentication camera to a voice and media reader, these five cleverly innovative devices come in a range of prices to suit any shopping budget. See full story

U.S. home prices rise 10.1% in Q3

The median price of an existing home in the United States rose 10.1 percent in the third quarter to $177,000 versus $160,800 in the comparable quarter a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. See full story

U.S. home sales hit record in Q3

Existing-home sales in the third quarter were the highest on record, with 48 states and the District of Columbia posting increases from a year ago, the National Association of Realtors said. See full story

U.S. mortgage rates edge above 6%

U.S. mortgage rates inched higher in the week ended Nov. 14, with the benchmark 30-year loan once again crossing above the 6 percent mark. See Mortgages

Funds' best reform defense is delay

We're in a new era filled with secret memos being leaked from high sources: For example, that one written by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld contradicting President Bush's rosy assessment of progress in Iraq. And the other by Senate Intelligence Committee Democrats strategizing ways to undermine the President's reelection. So let's imagine what might appear in a leaked secret memo from the Investment Company Institute to its registered lobbyists strategizing ways to delay a vote on reform until after Congress adjourns. Yes, delay, as in drag your feet and throw up any and all roadblocks possible to make darn sure that no legislation will ever get to the floor of Congress this year. See Superstar Funds

In praise of long shots

I'm a great believer in setting aside a small percentage -- say 5, maximum 10 percent -- of your investment portfolio for long shots. Some call it play money ... money you can afford to lose in its entirety without endangering your hope to live in the lap of luxury in your golden years. See Erdman's World

Long-term views on inflation

Culling small-cap gems from the glass and rubble

It's been my intention, ever since the launch of my newsletter service Hidden Gems, to beat the market by standing on the shoulders of giants. In this month's issue, for instance, I focused on the investment career and philosophy of legendary fund manager John Neff. See The Guru's Corner

Advantages of a credit over a debit card

Everyday, millions of consumers swipe their bank cards at cash registers and are asked whether they prefer "debit" (requiring a PIN number) or "credit" (requiring a signature on a receipt). See Marshall Loeb's Daily Money Tip

Sturm values PDE, ARA and BTU

When it comes to picking stocks for the Ivy Global Natural Resources Fund, Fred Sturm doesn't treat all companies the same. When looking at leaders in a particular resources industry, the Toronto-based portfolio manager adopts a "regression to mean" approach. In other words, Sturm says, when a "really good company gets cheaper and cheaper in price, you buy more." See The Stock Pickers

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